Walker Art Gallery

Lots of contemporary modern art on the first floor to make your brain think a bit, from the John Moores prize winners throughout history. Not too faffed about the Victorian & classical works in the other rooms.

We visited this museum today and liked it very much. Both the exterior and interior of the building are beautiful. In particular, the museum has a wonderful and extensive collection of medieval and Renaissance art.
I was surprised that the gift shop is small and it has a paltry selection. As an aside, the guards were all very friendly.

This is a very beautiful and amazing Gallery, not just painting art but sculptures too, plenty to see and completely free, well worth a visit, the architecture and décor is splendid also.

I am proud to say that the Walker Art Gallery houses one of the largest collections of art outside of London. The collection of paintings include works by Rembrandt, Poussin and Degas dating back to the 16^th century.
William Brown Street the location of our gallery consists with nothing else but museums, galleries and libraries. My favorite piece within the gallery is by Bansky called «Cardinal Sin» which is a vandalized statue of a priest situated in Room three.

The Walker is the main ‘old school’ art gallery in Liverpool, and any tourist owes themselves a stroll past St. George’s Hall, the fountains and gardens and at least a quick look at the free exhibitions of the Walker, the World Museum and National Conservation Centre which are all in close proximity.
Even though there are some fairly ancient or esoteric things on display, I always feel a warm and homely welcome when I visit The Walker — perhaps it’s some Scouse warmth, I don’t know. The display of Graeco-​Roman marble statues is just off the main foyer — I find this room uplifting and very soothing to the senses, almost as if all that marble is cooling me down!
The foyer is always a-​bustle with the shop and café open plan — each seeming to do their job, although I haven’t had need for either. What I do appreciate is the free cloakroom/​left luggage place (back left corner) where you can leave your coats and bags free of charge.
Upstairs, there are various different exhibitions of paintings and sculptures. I hadn’t paid close attention to the older paintings until I took a culturally-​inclined Hungarian guest on a thorough tour. He was really impressed by The Walker’s collection, and given all the paintings they have from renouned artists from medieval times to the present I wouldn’t be surprised if The Walker was a cut above other civic galleries.
What I’m just back from viewing today is the John Moores Painting Prize, which is one of the reasons Liverpool was chosen to host the Biennial. Think Turner Prize, but a bit older and only open to painting. The effect of the biennial painting competition display and the permanent display of past winners is to make The Walker just that bit more vibrant and cutting edge.
I’ve seen a lot of great touring exhibitions of fine and applied arts and also photography here — lots of big names, and almost everything has been accessible and worth my time.

What a treasure chest this place is.
Amazing collections, painting, sculpture, furniture, photography… well curated and very well presented.
Surely worth a couple of hours, easily.
Enjoy!

This great great gallery in Liverpool. For donkeys years this absolute beauty has been hosting art lovers in our region at no cost. It is an absolute hub of activity all year round.
No matter when you happen to visit it seems there’s always something going on. There are workshops and activities for all age groups, as well as the Big Art for Little Artists scheme, which aims to inspire teh creative side of young children, especially under the age of ten. Refreshments are available on the ground floor café which duly servesdrinks, snack and hot and cold meals, and even has free wifi facilities. Fantabulous I say, I want to go, you say!

If you’re going to do the old culture tour of Scouseland, this should certainly be one of your stops. the Walker is perhaps the more cutting edge of the galleries available to have a gander at and when it comes to the Walker Prize, you even have to be careful if you’re bringing the kiddywinks because their innocent eyes could be stunned by the sight of what they’d refer to on The L Word as ‘Provocations’.
Ahh, the exhibition at the crux of the first season of life with our favourite Los Angeles Lesbians. Bette Porter would in fact love the Walker due to its willingness to question what is obscene, what challenges us, what makes us uncomfortable and what ultimately provokes us. Just as long as she doesn’t end up achieving high voltage chemistry with another on-​site carpenter, we’re happy for her to have a mooch around. This gallery is quite Western in feel, with some very historical pieces dating back to the likes of the 12^th century. There are some very well-​known, recognisable and infamous names on display, and we’re not just limited to your archetypal paintings and sculptures. Nope, Walker’s quite happy to involve furniture and tapestries too. After all, what is art? Ooh get me.
It’s a very well-​organised space, airy and free for easy movement and feels very open and fresh. If you find yourself in need of feeding or watering you can get some scrumptious food and truly luxurious hot drinks or refreshing cold drinks at the gallery café.

Many is the time I’ve snagged my gaze on some huge stretch of canvas here and asked ‘How did they do that?’ Whether it’s an intricate masterpiece of a Henry VIII portrait, a thrashing battleground tapestry, a vast landscape featuring a Roman temple or another of George Stubbs’ frigging horsey pictures, it’s hard not to get impressed by what humanity can achieve when blessed with the right skills. It makes a nice change from contemporary art where the only thing I ask myself is ‘How did they get away with that?’
The Walker Art Gallery is a hallowed hall of masterpieces that’s always good for a stroll across what must be Liverpool’s squeakiest floorboards. If something artistic, yet not quite cool enough for modern places, comes to the city, it’ll end up here. Ben Johnson’s ‘Liverpool Cityscape’, Heath Robinson’s sketches and the monumental model for Lutyens’ Cathedral are three things that stick in my memory but many more have come and will do for a long while yet.

I’m so glad that this gallery is in Liverpool, it’s a fantastic place with many paintings. There are collections of Early Renaissance paintings, Dutch Master paintings such as Rembrandt and Steen there is also a range of British Art such as Turner and Yeames).
Admission is free, like most Liverpool museums. The museum shop has a limited selection of art books and postcards of paintings on display.

Although there are already five reviews for the Walker Art Gallery I felt there was a need to review the establishment from the point of view of someone who has had no previous interest in the art world. As a student in Liverpool I have spent much of my time enjoying the cities’ vast and varied nightlife and I have not taken enough time to appreciate some of the cultural gems which made Liverpool the European Capital of Culture 2008. The first thing that astonished me from the point of view of a person who is illiterate in art was the fact that the gallery is free to enter at all times. The value given to members of the public at no cost to themseleves is simply extraordinary and puts to shame some of the over priced, over pretentious businesses which manifest themselves intodays capitalist culture. The staff were beyond helpful from the moment I entered looking more than a little confused as to my surroundings (this was my first tentative foray into an art gallery) pointing out to me the refreshment area and informing me of the exhibitions in which I was permitted to take photographs. I was also impressed to find a childrens area within the gallery meaning that rather than simply being a place of interest for the older and more cultured person there is a place within the galler for families making it an all the more wholesome experience. The children’s gallery features an interactive section which really helps to encourage young artists to disover their passion and flair, with options to dress up as representations of works of art and generally take an interactive role within the gallery. There is also a further section within the gallery which features various art utensils which encourages those of an older age to take some time out from perusing the pieces to indulge in their own artistic tendencies. These features were things which I would never have previously associated with the world of art and they changed my perceptions of a dull outdated form of entertainent to something far more relevant and interesting for all.
The Café area is beautifully situated within the lower floor in a central location and is open from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm with last orders for hot food being taken at 4. There is also a small gift shop situated next to the café with a variety of post card prints amongst other things showing that this excellent gallery really has covered all the bases.
I only have good things to say about the Walker Art Gallery, the staff and the layout of the establishment have encouraged me to delve deeper into the world of art both contemporary and historical.

This is my little haven of quiet in Liverpool. Strolling around a great span of history through each creaking swing door with the clip clop of shoes echoing around the rooms, there is something for all tastes from ‘The Death of Nelson’ which is just a phenomenal piece of work, to the modern art section boasting pieces from Hockney and Ben Johnson’s ‘The Liverpool Cityscape’ which I remember him completing in Public Residency at the Walker in 2008; it’s definitely worth a visit. With live Jazz Sundays on the first Sunday of every month 12.30pm ’til 3pm you can experience a whole new side to the Walker.
At the moment there is an evocative exhibition of Toulouse-​Lautrec prints and a section dedicated to ‘The rise of women artists’ which highlights the kind of collections which the gallery pride themselves on showing to the public. But if there is one piece in the entire gallery I would recommend searching out it is Louis Daguerre’s ‘The Ruins of Holyrood Chapel’ which for me is one of the most beautiful works in the entire gallery, so take a seat on one of the polished wooden benches and reflect on what a good idea it was to take a Sunday afternoon out of your hectic schedule, and I won’t say I told you so!

It’s places like the Walker Gallery that really do make you feel lucky to be in a place like Liverpool. From the view on its steps looking across to the mighty St Georges Hall and down William Brown Street you get an overwhelming sense of history and pedigree as well as one of the great sights in Europe — I’m not joking, it’s rare to see a collection of great neo-​classical architecture like this outside of a major city!
Unlike contemporary galleries, the Walker is a place for reflection where you can soak in the flavour and atmosphere of the pieces on display without having to battle with whether you think it is any good before trying to work out what it is.
A place such as the Walker is a good insight into a city. Being a provincial gallery you are unlikely to get any masterpieces in the permanent collection but there are some real gems if you take the time to look around. With pieces from the Medieval and Renaissance era to late Victorian and early 20^th century periods you will find a couple of pieces by El Greco and Rembrandt, Rosetti and Monet but above all it’s a classy kind of place that gives credence to the saying form is temporary, style is permanent.

Isn’t it just fantastic that these types of places are FREE!
Close to St George’s Hall and the Birkenhead Tunnel. Not much parking close by — the only one I found was on William Brown Street.
I was thirsty when I arrived and so headed for the Gallery café — pretty relaxed and catered for my needs. Once finished I past by the gift shop which looked really attractive with books, cards, posters and jewellery.
The Gallery boasts the ‘best collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England’. I am not sure I am by any means the best judge of that — but I did have a great time. The Gallery’s collections cover European painting from the Renaissance to today and include European Old Master paintings by Rubens, Poussin and Rembrandt, Pre Raphaelite masterpieces by Millais, Rossetti and Holman Hunt.
I must say, thought, that my favourite part of the whole Gallery is the ‘Big Art for Little Artists’ which is an interactive gallery for children aged under 8. Kids can get creative and make their own masterpieces, dress up as characters from the artworks or follow a trail around the gallery.

The Walker Art Gallery is ideal for those wishing to visit one of Liverpool’s museums because if you’re into art, then this is the place for you. Whether you’re alone or with children, there are many departments within the gallery plus a ground floor café and gift shop where you can take a rest bite. The gallery is fully accessible via the entrance ramp and internal lift.
Galleries also hold public events and special exhibitions on request, all of which are free entrance. It must be noted that photography is permitted within the permanent galleries for personal use.
There is an interesting array of different paintings and other forms of art delved in history therefore there is a section to suit all lovers of art.
No fireworks but this gallery would make at least half a grand day out!

One of the finest collections of art outside of London. From pre-​Renaissance to contemporary, this High Victorian gallery has it all. See works by Martini, Freud and everything in between. Also houses possibly the best Pre-​Raphaelite collection in the country. Friendly and knowledgable staff, a great café and a dedicated children’s gallery. If you love art, don’t just visit the Tate when you come to Liverpool, come here first. I can’t recommend it enough.